Inspection reveals cracks in Graterford Road Bridge beams

Photo courtesy the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Deterioration can be seen on the Graterford Road Bridge in Perkiomen Township.

PERKIOMEN TWP. — An inspection of the Graterford Road Bridge uncovered “structural deterioration,” according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, causing it to be closed suddenly Thursday afternoon.

“A bridge inspection determined that the bridge’s steel beams and deck had deteriorated to the point that we could no longer allow motorists to travel over it,” PennDOT District Executive Lester C. Toaso said in a release.

The department said the bridge will remain closed “until a plan is developed,” but they did not give a timeline for when repairs will begin.

The bridge, which links Perkiomen and Skippack townships, was built in 1957 and “carries 2,899 vehicles a day,” according to PennDOT.